NFL draft: Top 10 names for Seahawks fans to watch, Part 1

Here’s what Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider has said publicly about what Seattle would like to do in this year’s NFL Draft, which begins Thursday at 4:30 PT:

Trade down. Strongly consider drafting a quarterback. Get at least one offensive and defensive lineman, ideally.

And that’s about it. The rest will remain a mystery until Thursday (and Friday and Saturday), when we can give you an idea of how the Seahawks’ draft plans are playing out.

For now, we can give you some names that, based on position, skill, and team needs, you should keep an eye on when the Seahawks announce each of their draft picks.

Here’s the first installment, in no particular order, though all five happen to be either quarterbacks or offensive linemen:

Jake Locker

Jake Locker, QB, Washington: If I were a betting man – I am, but it’s illegal in this state – I’d put a pretty considerable chunk of cash on the table that says Locker is gone by the time the Seahawks pick at No. 25. But simply because of his ties to the area, his athleticism and the Seahawks’ need for a quarterback, he’s still someone to keep an eye on.

If Locker somehow falls to No. 25 – you’re seeing increasing rumblings about the Titans taking him at No. 8 – Seattle probably at least considers taking him. The biggest worry is likely that Locker doesn’t necessarily fit well into an offense predicated on completing short throws into tight windows. Still, you wonder if maybe the Seahawks are wary of Locker turning into another Tim Lincecum horror story should he succeed elsewhere.

Consider this: Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian compared Locker to a college sophomore entering the draft, because he only had two years of Sarkisian’s tutelage at Washington, and was never taught to be a pocket passer under Tyrone Willingham.

That kind of upside, coupled with Locker’s roots, lands his name on this list. Even if it’s not likely he’ll still be on the board.

Andy Dalton

QB Andy Dalton, Texas Christian: The idea of Dalton as a first-round pick has been mocked by some. When we asked NFLDraftScout.com analyst Rob Rang earlier this month about Dalton’s potential as a first-rounder, this is what he said:

“I like Dalton’s instincts, short to intermediate level accuracy and toughness, but do not see him as worthy of a first-round pick.”

That doesn’t mean the Seahawks won’t, or shouldn’t, draft him. They could trade down for an early second-round pick and take a look at him there, or perhaps hope he’s still available at No. 57 and plan their draft around other positions. Or maybe the Seahawks actually do see him as worthy of the No. 25 pick. Again, these are educated guesses.

Dalton’s name has been brought up in connection with Seattle regularly for weeks now, but the same can basically be said for every other highly-touted quarterback in this draft except for Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert. Still, we know how badly the Seahawks want a quarterback, and their draft positioning points toward a prospect near the middle-to-bottom of that seven-quarterback pool.

Mike Pouncey

OL Mike Pouncey, Florida: One of the higher-rated offensive linemen in this draft, and someone who would add immediate size and strength to a position where the Seahawks desperately need both.

Here’s what Rang told us about him:

“Pouncey played center this past season, but projects best as an NFL guard due to his rare combination of size, power and mobility. He was asked to pull and block at the second level while at Florida, something that very few NFL teams require of their centers. This mobility is one of his best assets, which would make it a waste, in my opinion, to keep him penned in at center.”

Danny Watkins

OL Danny Watkins, Baylor: Another big dude whose name was linked to the Seahawks by a couple of reports during the NFL Scouting Combine. The one knock on him is that he’s 26 years old, having not played football until 2007. But we all know how much Seattle needs (and wants) an offensive lineman (or many of them), and with the unpredictability of this year’s (and ever year’s) draft, it’s good to keep your eye on a couple different options along the offensive line.

Here’s Rang on Watkins: “Watkins’ physical, grappling style would add an element of physicality that has been missing from the Seahawks’ offensive interior for some time. That said, with only moderate overall athleticism, Watkins isn’t an ideal fit in a zone-blocking system.”

Zane Taylor

OL Zane Taylor, Utah: Taylor looks like a fourth-to-sixth round pick, which is where the Seahawks can look to add some legitimate depth at some of the deeper positions in this draft – and, according to Rang, there just so happens to be enough depth at the interior linemen positions for the Seahawks to possibly add o-line depth later in the draft.

Taylor fits into that depth. He stole the show at Utah’s Pro Day, bench-pressing 225 pounds 41 times (CORRECTED). That’s some serious strength. And that’s why the Seahawks have kept a close eye on him throughout the pre-draft process.

QB Jake Locker, Washington: If I were a betting man – I am, but it’s illegal in this state – I’d put a pretty considerable chunk of cash on the table that says Locker is gone by the time the Seahawks pick at No. 25. But simply because of his ties to the area, his athleticism and the Seahawks’ need for a quarterback, he’s still someone to keep an eye on.

If Locker somehow falls to No. 25 – you’re seeing increasing rumblings about the Titans taking him at No. 8 – Seattle probably at least considers taking him. The biggest worry is likely that Locker doesn’t necessarily fit well into an offense predicated on completing short throws into tight windows. Still, you wonder if maybe the Seahawks are wary of Locker turning into another Tim Lincecum horror story should he succeed elsewhere.

Consider this: Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian compared Locker to a college sophomore entering the draft, because he only had two years of Sarkisian’s tutelage at Washington, and was never taught to be a pocket passer under Tyrone Willingham.

That kind of upside, coupled with Locker’s roots, lands his name on this list. Even if it’s not likely he’ll still be on the board.

QB Andy Dalton, Texas Christian: The idea of Dalton as a first-round pick has been mocked by some. When we asked NFLDraftScout.com analyst Rob Rang earlier this month about Dalton’s potential as a first-rounder, this is what he said:

“I like Dalton’s instincts, short to intermediate level accuracy and toughness, but do not see him as worthy of a first round pick.”

That doesn’t mean the Seahawks won’t, or shouldn’t, draft him. They could trade down for an early second-round pick and take a look at him there, or perhaps hope he’s still available at No. 57 and plan their draft around other positions.

His name has been brought up in connection with Seattle regularly for weeks now, but the same can basically be said for every other quarterback except for Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert. Still, we know how badly the Seahawks want a quarterback, and their draft positioning points toward a prospect near the middle-to-bottom of that seven-quarterback pool.

OL Mike Pouncey, Florida: One of the higher-rated offensive linemen in this draft, and someone who would add immediate size and strength to a position where the Seahawks desperately need both.

Here’s what Rang told us about him:

“Pouncey played center this past season, but projects best as an NFL guard due to his rare combination of size, power and mobility. He was asked to pull and block at the second level while at Florida, something that very few NFL teams require of their centers. This mobility is one of his best assets, which would make it a waste, in my opinion, to keep him penned in at center.”

OL Danny Watkins, Baylor: Another big dude whose name was linked to the Seahawks by a couple of reports during the NFL Scouting Combine. The one knock on him is that he’s 26 years old, and didn’t play football until 2007. But we all know how much Seattle needs (and wants) an offensive lineman, and with the unpredictability of this year’s (and ever year’s) draft, it’s good to keep your eye on a couple different options along the offensive line.

Here’s Rang on Watkins: “Watkins’ physical, grappling style would add an element of physicality that has been missing from the Seahawks’ offensive interior for some time. That said, with only moderate overall athleticism, Watkins isn’t an ideal fit in a zone-blocking system.”

OL Zane Taylor, Utah: Taylor looks like a fourth-to-sixth round pick, which is where the Seahawks can look to add some legitimate depth at some of the deeper positions in this draft – and, according to Rang, there just so happens to be enough depth at the interior linemen positions for the Seahawks to possibly add o-line depth later in the draft.

Taylor fits into that depth. He stole the show at Utah’s Pro Day, bench-pressing 225 pounds 33 times. That’s some serious strength. And that’s why the Seahawks have kept a close eye on him throughout the pre-draft process.